saying his administration would immediately prioritize creating a lean, efficient, and accountable system of governance.
Speaking during an interview with NTV on Wednesday, Matiang’i said Kenya has for years suffered the consequences of an oversized and poorly managed government, which he claims has allowed wastage of public resources, duplication of roles, and unchecked spending to thrive.
According to the former Interior Cabinet Secretary, the country’s leadership continues to fall victim to poor governance structures, largely because no administration has been bold enough to confront the “chronic proliferation of government spending.” He argued that resources that could be used to uplift key sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and social welfare end up being wasted on “unnecessary payments and inflated government structures.”
Matiang’i criticized the current administration led by President William Ruto, accusing it of misplaced priorities and spending patterns that do not reflect the urgent needs of ordinary Kenyans.
He noted that the government has made “overwhelmingly illogical payments,” a trend he believes has deepened public frustration and mistrust.
“The kind of country we have right now, I don’t understand the size of government we have. It is a drain on government resources,” Matiang’i said. “Sometimes, poor prioritization of government programmes is the simplest way you cut waste.”
He emphasized that restoring fiscal discipline would be at the heart of his leadership agenda. His proposed solution includes reducing unnecessary government positions, merging overlapping departments, enforcing strict expenditure controls, and introducing modern accountability systems to ensure transparency in every sector.
Matiang’i also hinted that a lean government would not only save billions but also improve service delivery, accelerate development, and rebuild public confidence in national institutions.
As the 2027 race continues to take shape, Matiang’i’s message appears aimed at voters tired of corruption, bloated government offices, and unchecked spending — issues that have been at the center of Kenya’s governance debate for decades.
